But he was able to make the launch at the upmarket Rosebank cinema complex in Johannesburg.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, so Sunday's event was its South African premiere.

The film may have a British director - Justin Chadwick - and two British actors in the leading roles (Naomie Harris is playing Winnie), but the film-makers insist it is a South African story told largely by South Africans.

The director did not want to use acting extras, but chose to film many of the scenes in situ in the townships.

With a budget of just $35m (£21.9m) it is a relatively low-cost film, especially since they had to build many of the locations - such as the Robben Island jail where Mr Mandela spent decades.